If there’s one thing Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera want to “rewind” and “pause” in their lives as a couple, it’s the moments they spent with their kids and their wedding day.
“Gusto ko yung pagkakataon na maliliit pa yung mga anak ko. Because during those times, naalagaan ko, nahahawakan ko. Time is really fleeting. They grow up so fast. Especially when you’re busy, when you go home, (you’ll notice), parang lumaki ng one inch, then two inches na,” said Marian in a media conference for their 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Rewind.
Rewind is the comeback film project of the couple, also known as DongYan, which is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema), APT Entertainment, Inc., and Dingdong’s own production outfit, Agosto Dos Pictures. It is helmed by Mae Cruz-Alviar (Can’t Buy Me Love, 2 Good 2 Be True, Make It with You) and will hit cinemas nationwide on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
On why she chose her wedding day as another episode in her life that she wanted to revisit, Marian said it’s because her entire family attended their special day. “Mama, Papa and Nanay were there,” she said. “And my dream to have a husband like him (Dingdong) came true.”
The day that their children were born proved to be equally memorable for Dingdong. “Kasi parang mas gusto ko yung mas humaba pa yung panahon na kasama sila (kids). Although hindi ko naman sinasabi ayoko silang lumaki, mangyayari at mangyayari yun. Pero yung moment ba na yun, I want to ‘rewind’ that. And of course, para humaba yung samahan din namin.”
Speaking of their kids, Zia and Ziggy, the proud parents have been exposing them to the kind of profession that they have. They’ve been to the set of Dingdong’s Family Feud, as well as the duo’s sitcom Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa.
“Me and Dong agreed na kailangan i-expose namin siya (Zia) sa trabaho… (And we would tell her), ‘This is the job of Mama, this is the job of Dada.’ So that she will have an awareness na, ‘Ah ito pala.’ Maybe it’s nice that she knows about our jobs because we are proud of our professions,” shared Marian.
Asked if Zia and Ziggy have shown interest to follow in their footsteps in showbiz, Marian said that they should finish their studies first.
Dingdong added, “Later on, it will become their choice. The important thing for now is they know what we are doing (as actors) because we are proud of our jobs.”
Since the title of their forthcoming film is Rewind, the pair was also queried about scenes from their previous acting projects that they want to “rewind.” Dingdong answered Dyesebel (2008) while Marian replied MariMar (2007).
Marian asked her other half, “Why?” Dingdong replied with a laugh, “Wala lang kasi OK kang ka-swimming.”
In a separate interview after the presscon, the latter explained, “There was a moment there that I rescued her. Kasi usually si Dyesebel yung sumasagip ‘di ba? But there was a malfunction during that time. It was not a costume (malfunction), medyo it was a safety thing. And dahil kami lang dalawa nandun, so we were there for each other and it was a bit of a life and death situation. That’s why I will never forget that scene.”
On why MariMar was memorable for her, Marian recalled, “I was dancing MariMar on the island and that was the time I met Sergio (played by Dingdong). That was also the time that direk Joyce (Bernal) instructed me to go give my all (in the dancing scene) because they used that part as OBB (opening billboard).”
Meanwhile, Marian shared that she had always looked forward to her taping days with her husband for Rewind, saying, “Nakaka-in love pa rin talaga katrabaho si Dong,” then quipped, “In our next movie, ‘fast forward’ naman.”
Filled with heart-wrenching scenes, as shown in the trailer, Rewind tells the story of John (Dingdong) who appears to have lost his wife Mary (Marian) following a car accident.
The family drama also stars Sue Ramirez, Pepe Herrera, Joross Gamboa, Lito Pimentel, Coney Reyes, and other cast members.
Scriptwriter Enrico Santos divulged that Marian and Dingdong were the “first and only choices” for the film. The material was conceived pre-pandemic. “No one else can give life to the roles made specifically for them. In fact, ang totoo niyan, iniisip ko sila while writing it,” revealed Enrico.
Rewind is relatable to the audience who are going through rough times, remarked Enrico. “You would really ask kung ano ang mga pagkakamali and if you were given another chance, for example, maitutuwid mo ba ang pagkakamali?
“It’s a universal emotion and feeling that we all commit mistakes and all of us hope that we’d correct those mistakes. And that’s what people will look forward. That’s what people will see when they watch Rewind. It’s a chance to be a better person all for one day.”
When inquired for their thoughts on their Best Actor and Best Actress chances come MMFF awarding night or Gabi ng Parangal, Dingdong responded, “It’s already a huge honor that this script came to life, especially that I did this together with very, very good actors and such brilliant, creative people under the helm of direk Mae, and of course, with my wife.
“All of that is enough kaya kung ano pa man ang dumating, it’s up to God if He will give it.”
As for Marian, she said, “The moment that we were included in the MMFF sa dami ng nagpasa (entries) and the mere fact that we are here now, we are very thankful. Siguro kung meron mang mangyayari at maibigay pa, it’s already a plus.”
She added, “Whatever it is that we have created (in this film) and what we offer to the people, we are already proud of it.”